The Denver Nuggets stay the one staff exhibiting “tangible,” curiosity in Russell Westbrook. Nevertheless, it appears as if the commerce talks have hit a stalemate. The Nuggets want to bolster their bench and add a backup level guard. To not point out, Nikola Jokic has reportedly made it recognized he would like to play with the previous league MVP. The Los Angeles Clippers level guard exercised his $4 million choice for subsequent yr. The Clippers are searching for commerce suitors, however as alluded to already, the Nuggets are the one ones keen to barter as of now.
Denver Nuggets Nonetheless Have “Tangible,” Curiosity in Russell Westbrook
Would Russell Westbrook Match With the Denver Nuggets?
A giant debate is whether or not or not Westbrook would match with the Nuggets. All through his profession, he has been a ball-dominant participant. Nevertheless, he has accepted a bench position in his later days of his profession which is the place he can be in Denver’s rotation. The primary concern in his taking pictures. Westbrook is just a profession 27.3 p.c three-point shooter. The Nuggets satisfaction themselves on their taking pictures round Nikola Jokic and are searching for to bolster it after dropping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Magic.
That being stated, Westbrook would share little time with Jokic on the court docket and continues to be among the best downhill attackers within the league. If he led the second unit, the Nuggets might filter out the paint and permit Westbrook to play his model of basketball in brief stints. To not point out, he would offer some much-needed power off the bench. One thing the Nuggets’ second unit desperately lacked final yr. All in all, it nonetheless stays to be seen whether or not or not Westbrook would purchase into his position in Denver and truly be a strong match for the 2023 NBA champions.
An Underwhelming Offseason for Denver Thus Far
The Nuggets have been very quiet this offseason. They haven’t made any important additions outdoors of their draft picks. Denver misplaced considered one of their finest three-and-D gamers in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and in addition traded Reggie Jackson. They’ve a gap on the backup level guard spot, thus the curiosity in Westbrook.
Denver additionally has little or no to work with from a wage cap standpoint. A lot of their cash is tied up of their core 4 of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter. Below the present CBA (collective bargaining settlement), retaining and buying strong position gamers makes it troublesome for a staff. Particularly for a staff just like the Nuggets the place continuity and staff chemistry is extraordinarily important. Whereas the potential of including Russell Westbrook is intriguing, the Nuggets ought to nonetheless take into account different free agent choices who can be higher suits with this present core.
